Window seat and platform



Oct 17, 1944- F. A. G. DENs-' y WINDOW SEAT AND'PLTFORM Filed April 2l,1944 Aufn/A vzlY/l lll Patented Oct. 17, 1944 UNITED STATES TENT OFFICE2,360,656 WINDOW SEAT AND PLATFORM Frank A. G. Denst, Chicago, Ill.

Application April 21, 1944, Serial No. 532,038

3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in window seats or scaffolds.

The main objects of this invention are to provide a novel and improvedwindow seat kor scaffold; to provide such a device which is adjustably'mountable and adaptable to substantially all types of window sills andwindow ledges; to provide a device of this character which isconstructed entirely of wood with the exception of the hook bar; toprovide a device of this character having an adjustable means forlocking the seat or scaffold to the window sill and ledge, whereby saidseat or scaffold is securely anchored thereto; and to providea device ofthis character which is simple in construction, safe and convenient touse, readily adjustable for application to window sills of variouswidths and offsets, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

A specific embodiment of this invention is shown in the accompanyingdrawing in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of my device.

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross sectional view of the same taken on the line2 2 of Fig. 3, as applied to a window which is also shown in section.

Fig. 3 is a front elevational View of my device, the hook bar beingshown in cross section.

Referring in detail to the drawing, my improved window seat or scaffoldis preferably constructed entirely of Wood and comprises a seat memberI, a pair of side frame members 2 and 3 having portions cut outtherefrom as indicated by the numerals 4 and 5, a centrally disposedpartition or supporting frame member 6 located medially of the seatI/and extending between the side walls 2 and 3, and a hook bar 'I,preferably constructed from band iron, having a plurality of apertures 8contained therein.

The hook bar 'I is located below the seat I and slidably anchored to thelower face thereof by staples 9 and I0 which also act as guides to keepthe hook bar 'I in alinement whereby the same will extend centrally fromthe seat structure in a plane transverse to the long plane of the seatI. The hook bar also extends through a slotted aperture Il, formed bycutting a notch in the upper edge of the partition member 6.

The hook bar 1 is bent at right-angles to the plane of the bar at itsextreme outer end and then rearwardly and forwardly to form a hook I2which is adapted to extend over the window sill I3 for clampingengagement with the sill board I4 when the device is in use.

It is to be noted that the hook bar 'I is offset as at I whereby portionI6 is adapted to lie flat against the sill board I4 to insure a properclamping action between the hook I2 and the sill board I4. This offsetI5 also performs the function of preventing the main portion of the barI from mutilating or destroying any weather stripping, etc., I3 appliedto the window Sill I3.

The cutaway portions 4 and 5 contained in the two end members 2 and 3respectively are identical in shape.

Since the upper surfaces of substantially all stone window ledges aresloped downwardly, whereby to assure proper and thorough drainage ofanywater, etc. therefrom, it is to be` noted that the upper edges I'Iand I8 respectively lie in an angular plane which substantially conformsto the slope of the stone ledge I9, (or as shown in Fig. 2 it may beslightly greater) where` by these edges I'I and I8 will seat thereon.

The front edges 22 and 23 of the legs 2U and 2| respectively of the sideframe members 2 and 3 respectively are adapted to bear against the face24 ofthe building. These legs 20 and 2| are also arranged to lie belowthe lower edge of the stone ledge I9.

It will now be apparent from the foregoing description that the sideframe members will embracingly engage the stone window ledge I 9 (seeFig. 2).

Since the distances between the outer face edge of the stone ledge andthe inner face edges of the sill board vary with the various types ofbuildings, I found it desirable to be able to vary the length of thehook bar 'I Aat will in order that my window Seat may be used almostuniversally on substantially all types of windows. I accomplish this byproviding a series of apertures 8 in the hook bar 'I whereby when thedevice of my invention is seated on the stone ledge and hook I2 is inposition on the sill board, the cotter pin 25 is inserted through theaperture 26 contained in the seat I and through one of the apertures 8in the hook arm 'I which will be found to be in alignment with theaperture 26. When the legs of the cotter pin are spread apart, the hookarm 'I will be semi-permanently secured to the seat I.

Since all windows in a given building are usually all substantiallyalike, one adjustment of the hook arm to fit the conditions of onewindow in the building is usually sufcient whereby the device will ntall of the windows in the building. If the device is to be used in asingle building only and all the windows are the same, so that the hooknever need be readjusted after being adjusted to one of the windows inthe building,

the hook arm, if it is so desired, may be permanently anchored to theseat by inserting a wood screw 2'! through one of the apertures 8 andinto the seat I. Of course, the length of the screw should be such as tonot protrude through the face of the seat I as will be understood.

It is also to be understood that the aperture 26 is countersunk wherebythe head of the cotter pin will be embedded in the seat proper so as notto protrude above the upper surface of the seat.

The no'rmal tendency -of a person sitting on the stone ledge of thewindow, when washing the windows or doing any work on the window frame,etc., is to hold the body, i. e. the trunk from the hips to the head, ina diagonal plane toward the window. This is because the only iirmpurchase usually had is obtained by hooking the legs, i. e. from theknees to the feet, over the sill board I4. When using the seat of myinvention the user will have the tendency to assume the same position.

Therefore, all the weight Vof the person using my window seat Will `beconcentrated A,on theseat per se, and directed toward the front edgethereof. It will, therefore, be -apparent that the upper edges I1 and-I-8 `of the cutout portions 4 and 5 of the side frame members -2 and 3respectively will `substantially carry the entire weight exerted on theseat and such weight Will be exerted in a vertical plane so thatsubstantially no outward horizontal pressure is exerted on the hookarm 1. Under such conditions mutilation of the -Window sill board I4 issubstantially nil and the usual danger 'of breakage of the sill board isalso eliminated.

It will yalso be understood that the hook I2 may, if desired, vbecovered with suitable padding to insure vagainst chipping A'orscratching of the paint on the sill board.

The device of my invention may be used as a seat or a platform for aperson (l) Washing windows, or (2) installing or replacing window panes,(3) painting sash, etc., and for many other analogous uses.

Although but one specic embodiment of this invention is herein shown anddescribed, it is to be understood that details thereof may be altered oromitted without departing from the spirit of the invention as dened bythe following claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described comprising a seat member, a pairof side frame members secured to the lower face of said seat member, apartition member located centrally below and secured to said seatmember, said partition member also being positioned between said sidemembers and anchored thereto, a portion of each of said side membersbeing arranged to protrude beyond the inner forward edge of said seatmember and having portions cut out therefrom whereby to embracinglyengage a stone sill of a window, and means secured to said seat memberextending longitudinally therefrom adapted to engage the sill board of awindow frame and lock said device to the window frame.

2. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means is adjustable.

3. In a, device of the class described comprising a seat member, -a pairof side frame members secured to the lower face of said seat member, aypartition member located centrally below and secured to said seatmember, said partition member also being positioned between said sidemembers and ranchored thereto, a portion of each of said side membersbeing arranged to protrude beyond the inner forward edge of said seatmember, and having ,portions cut out therefrom whereby to embracinglyengage a sill of a window, guide lmeans vsecured to the lower face ofsaid seat member, a horizontal hook bar slidably adjustable in saidguide means and provided with a series of apertures, and a cotter pinadapted for insertion through said seat member and through one of theapertures in said hook bar whereby said. hook bar is secured to saidseat member.

FRANK A. G. DENST.

